Funeral Options During the Pandemic
Your local funeral home is committed to helping families honor their loved ones in meaningful ways, while ensuring the safety of family and friends. If you’re unable to hold a funeral for your loved one, or if attendance is limited to immediate family, you do have options that can be explored with your funeral director.
Have a private viewing for only immediate family and/or close friends.
Delay the funeral and hold it at a later date. Speak with your funeral director about your options regarding casket burial or cremation if you choose this option.
Have a private viewing for only immediate family and/or close friends and have a memorial service at a later date.
Ask your funeral director if they have the ability to webcast the funeral so others can view from home.
If you are able to have a funeral, even if it’s on a smaller scale, note that your funeral director will need to follow very specific guidance regarding the number of attendees and social distancing as required by the local, state and/or federal government. While it may be difficult to accept these limitations, know that your funeral director is working hard to ensure your safety, the safety of any guests and the safety of the funeral home staff while still providing family and friends with the opportunity to say goodbye. These guidelines may include:
Social Distancing
Social distancing guidelines apply, regardless of the setting or circumstances. As such, seating for a service will be adjusted accordingly so guests are a safe distance from each other. Also, keep in mind that guests will likely be hesitant to hug each other or the family of the deceased. While it’s often our natural instinct to offer condolences through physical interaction, it’s important to be respectful of guests’ decision if they choose not to do so. Remember, it’s for the safety of everyone in attendance.
Gathering Limits
There are limits for the number of people who may gather for an event, based on local, state and/or federal guidelines. In order to follow these guidelines, your funeral director may have to limit the number of guests who are in the funeral home at one time. Rest assured, he or she will work to ensure each guest has the opportunity to be in the funeral home to pay their respects; however, this will require patience on behalf of you guests. Speak with your funeral director about gathering limits in your community.
Personal Effects
Talk to your funeral director about the return of personal effects that may have been on your loved one at the time of death. Depending on the circumstances, they may need to be disinfected before being returned to you.

Dorothy H. “Dottie” Gillis – 84, of North Reading, died at Winchester Hospital on Wednesday, March 25^th. Services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Marianne T. (Amorello) Quam – 70, of North Reading, formerly of Chelsea, died from injuries from being hit by a motor vehicle on Main Street in North Reading, on Thursday, March 19, 2020.

Born in Revere, MA on October 3, 1949. She was the daughter of the late Peter and Mary (Kneeland) Amorello. Marianne was a graduate of Chelsea High School.

She was a retired Certified Nursing Assistant, she worked at the Meadow View Nursing Home in North Reading for 25 years. She also worked part time at Stop & Shop in North Reading. She was a full-time wife and grandmother.

Marianne was an incredibly loving and caring person, who never had a bad word to say about anyone. She loved her family, friends and she cared for many patients as if they were her own parents.

Her grandchildren made her so happy. She loved to cook and read. Marianne had a desire to make others happy. She always would do more than her share at work or with her family.

Family members include her loving husband of 33 years, Dean D. Quam; loving sons, Charles Newman and wife Teri and Brian Quam and wife Donna; daughters, April Newman and partner John Russo and Kristin Stanley and husband George; her brother, Robert Kneeland; grandchildren, Nicole and Nora Newman, Scarlett, Olivia, Betty, Lily, George and Jordan Stanley, Alyssa, Brianna, Callie and Brian Quam and James and Joshua Russo.

There will be a celebration of life at a future time. Memorial donations may be made in her memory to the CCS/North Reading Food Pantry, P.O. Box 626, North Reading, MA 01864. Arrangements under the direction of the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Filomena M. (D’Ambrosio) Smith – 94, of North Reading, passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on March 20, 2020, of natural causes.

She was the daughter of the late Maurice and Sylvia (Sousa) D’ Ambrosio. She was born in Cambridge, MA and attended Somerville High School. Filomena was married to the late John W. “Smitty” Smith for seventy wonderful years. She was a war-time bride.

Her husband died in 2012. Together they ran two business in North Reading for many years, Smitty’s Gulf Station and Smitty’s Texaco Service. Filomena was the bookkeeper.

She was a resident of North Reading for the past 64 years. When she was younger, she was active in St. Theresa’s Church Sodality. Her hobbies included doll collecting, gardening, birdwatching and Italian cooking. She was known for her delicious Italian meatball and bracioles. She was also an advocate for Woman’s Rights. Her greatest love was for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Family members include her loving daughter, Phyllis Dalby and her husband Clive; her son, Gary Smith and his wife Wendy; grandchildren, Suzanne Holland, Jason Smith and Julian Dalby; her great granddaughters, Charlotte and Vivian Holland, Jasmine Smith; she is also survived by her sister Irene Fullilove and many nieces and nephews; she was the sister of the late Sylvia Zaccardi, Robert D’ Ambrosio and Maurice D’ Ambrosio, Jr.

Services will be private at her request. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959. A Memorial Mass will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com

Robert R. Capillo – 89, of North Reading and formerly of East Boston, died Friday, March 20, 2020 at the Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington.

Born in Boston, MA on May 20, 1930. He was the son of the late Joseph and Margaret (Bandini) Capillo. Bob was a graduate of East Boston High School, Class of 1947 and he received his Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Lowell Tech in 1962.

He was a U.S. Air Force Veteran of the Korean War, he was a Staff Sergeant and served from 1951 to 1955.

Bob was a self-employed general contractor for many years. Bob was a resident of North Reading for 64 years and an active member of St. Theresa’s Church. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, he was a Past Grand Knight and a former District Deputy.

Bob was known for his kindness, humor, laugh and personality. He always had a smile on his face, he was a very faithful Catholic. Bob especially loved to sing and perform. He was an avid golfer, he enjoyed boating, fishing, winters in Florida and spending time with his family.

Family members include his loving wife of 67 years, Shirley (McArdle) Capillo; his son Michael Capillo and wife Donna; daughters, Maureen Turner and husband Jeff, Eileen Perron and husband Roddy, Julie Bornstein and husband David and the late Roberta Entwistle; grandchildren, Crystal Richardson and husband Michael, Joseph Entwistle, Anthony and Ashley Capillo, Rebecca and Jillian Turner, William and Rachel Bornstein, Colton and Rudy Perron; great grandchildren, Claire and Andrew Richardson. He was the brother of the late John Doto, Margaret Strangie and Dot Marotta.

Funeral services will be private, due to the concerns of the current situation with the Coronavirus. Funeral Mass and Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the charity of one’s choice. Arrangements are by the Croswell Funeral Home, 19 Bow Street, North Reading. www.croswellfuneralhome.com